Francis Marion

Francis Marion (circa 1732 - February 26 or February 27, 1795) was an American Brigadier General in the American Revolutionary War. He became known as the "Swamp Fox" for his ability to use decoy and ambush tactics to disrupt enemy communications, capture supplies, and free prisoners.

Popular culture

There has been some controversy about Marion's personality, especially in connection with the Hollywood movie The Patriot (2000), which is based largely on his biography. Historian Christopher Hibbert said that Marion was "a wily and elusive character, very active in the persecution of the Cherokee Indians and not at all the sort of chap who should be celebrated as a hero. The truth is that people like Marion committed atrocities as bad, if not worse, than those perpetrated by the British."

Related Topics:
The Patriot - Christopher Hibbert

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A television version of Marion's exploits, a 1950s Walt Disney series called The Swamp Fox, was a less-successful followup to Disney's Davy Crockett series. As with Crockett, it featured the lead actor (Leslie Nielsen) singing the show's theme song. Given the times, and the underlying assumption that the stories were fanciful or "Hollywoodized", there was little if any controversy about the show..

Related Topics:
1950s - Walt Disney - Leslie Nielsen

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